Development highlights
Renewing downtown Prince George means tackling all of the city core's infrastructure challenges which include upgrading - or in some cases replacing - above and underground assets. The City has made progress over the years, but much more remains to be done.
The changing face of downtown Prince George
In 2024 the City of Prince George partnered with Downtown Prince George to create a Downtown Strategy to help revitalize the downtown area.
The strategy features development principles and recommendations, and builds on the Smart Growth on the Ground – Downtown Prince George Concept Plan, introduced in 2009 to guide renewal of the city centre.
The goal is to create a sustainable downtown with strong businesses and vibrant neighbourhoods - and progress is already being made.
Current efforts in and around downtown include:
- Activating public spaces for gatherings and entertainment
- Improvements to parks and trails
- Replacing and upgrading aging infrastructure
- Beautifying streets with flowers, banners, and public art
Rezoning and the Official Community Plan
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a statement of objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning and land use management in Prince George. Each property in the city is assigned an OCP designation.
Zoning divides Prince George into 45 standard zones and 10 site-specific zones and regulates, among other things, density, off-street parking and loading spaces, landscaping and screening requirements, and more.
Occasionally, landowners must rezone or amend the OCP to allow for new development or change of use.
- The rezoning process changes one zone to another.
- An OCP amendment changes a property's OCP designation to another.
Civic Core District Plan
The Civic Core District Plan (CCDP) is a long‑term guide for the future of key municipal properties in downtown Prince George. It outlines a vision for a more vibrant, economically resilient civic core and is being shaped through input from residents, businesses, and local arts, sports, and recreation organizations. The plan focuses on strengthening the local economy, enhancing downtown vitality, and improving amenities that support a high quality of life. These priorities align with Council’s broader goals to grow the city, build a diverse economy, and maintain a safe, healthy, and clean community.
Public engagement and community feedback guided the planning process, and in December 2024, Council reviewed three conceptual site designs and selected a concept plan to advance into the next phase of work. The approved concept includes a new performing arts centre on the former Four Seasons Pool site, a new ice arena on the Kopar Memorial Arena site, a mixed‑use hotel beside the performing arts centre, and a mixed‑use residential development on the current Knights Inn property.
Next steps include detailed technical studies, such as parking analysis, and site planning to prepare for future development opportunities. The City will continue engaging the public to ensure community perspectives are reflected in the plan. Staff will return to Council with a more detailed plan, including facility designs, economic analysis, timelines, and financial information.